Al McCoy, legendary voice of the Phoenix Suns, passes away at 91 years old

Rest in peace, Al. And thank you for every word.

A deep shadow has fallen over the Valley of the Sun as the Phoenix Suns mourn the loss of a true legend. Al McCoy, whose voice became synonymous with Suns’ basketball, provided the soundtrack for over half a century of triumphs and trials. His passing at the age of 91 leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who grew up with his iconic calls, a voice that will forever echo in the annals of the team’s history.

In statements provided by the Phoenix Suns:

The McCoy Family: “As a father, he taught us the value of respect, loyalty, hard work, and love – both on and off the court. His passion, dedication and kindness touched countless lives, and while he may be gone, the impact he made will be felt for generations to come.”

Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia: “From his first call in 1972 to his last in 2023, Al McCoy was there for every defining moment in our history. He was the heartbeat of our organization, a cherished friend, a mentor to many and a legend whose voice brought countless unforgettable moments to life for generations of Suns fans. We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved Al, the voice of the Phoenix Suns for over five decades. Our thoughts go out to Al’s family, friends and to our entire Suns community.”

Phoenix Suns Head Coach Mike Budenholzer: “We lost one of my heroes. I can still hear Al’s voice in our living room and backyard calling the plays of Sweet D, Westy and Double A … SHAZAM!!! He brought the Suns into my life, like he did for generations of kids across Arizona. Al was an icon and he will be missed”

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker: “I had the privilege of Al McCoy narrating the first eight years of my career. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor my second season, and it was then I really understood what a special talent he was. And over the course of my career, I’ve learned what an even more special person he was. We will miss Al, and I am so glad our legacies in Phoenix are forever connected.”

Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor Member Steve Nash: “I got to work with the great Al McCoy for 10 incredible years. His energy and spirit were unmatched and I’ll never forget all the conversations and laughs we shared. He was the teammate that never wore a jersey. He loved his Phoenix Suns as much as anyone and his legacy will endure the generations of Suns fans to come. Lots of love to the one and only Al McCoy.

Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor Member Charles Barkley: “This is a sad day for the Suns and the Suns family. Al McCoy represented everything that is great about Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and people who love basketball. I was blessed and honored to work with Al and I’m gonna miss him.”

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Born in Williams, Iowa in April of 1933, McCoy quickly fell in love with the one piece of modern technology that was available on the farm: the radio.

“We didn’t have electricity. But we had a battery radio. And I got hooked on radio very early as a kid and particularly listening to sporting events. Then, it was mostly baseball. And I followed the Cubs and, and football, college football at that point in time,” McCoy told ABC15 in 2021. “And that’s where the so-called name announcers were, right, and I listened to all of them. And very early as a youngster, I thought, ‘boy, that would be great. Wouldn’t it be great to be at the Garden in New York and do games there and Chicago Stadium and do games,’ not really realizing that maybe I’d be there someday. But at an early age, I guess I got the bug.”

Listening to broadcasts inspired him, and combined with his love of sports, he majored in Drama/Speech and minored in Broadcast Journalism while attending Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in the early 1950s.

In 1958, Al married Koharig Shahinian and moved out west to Phoenix to begin his broadcasting career. He was calling games for the San Francisco Giants’ AAA team, the Phoenix Giants. When the Giants relocated to Tacoma, Washington after the 1959 season, McCoy opted to stay in the Valley.

He deejayed for KRUX 1360 AM radio, called Arizona State Sun Devil football and basketball games, and called boxing matches at Phoenix Madison Square Garden (which was on the corner of 7th Avenue and Van Buren and existed from 1929 to 1979). The Giants returned to Phoenix in 1966 – a stadium dispute had prompted their departure and eventual return – and McCoy reunited with them by calling games until 1969.

The Phoenix Suns came to town in 1968 and McCoy applied to be the radio voice. But was turned down. That didn’t stop him. After recording a preseason game between the St. Louis Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers, his work eventually found its way into the hands of Jerry Colangelo.

“I have to admit, and I did years later to Jerry Colangelo, I edited that tape until I sounded like maybe the fastest basketball announcer you’d ever heard,” McCoy later said. “And that’s what I gave to Jerry Colangelo, at that time, and that prompted him to hire me.”

In 1972, Al McCoy began calling games for the Phoenix Suns. McCoy began his tenure with the Suns alongside Rodney Clark, better known as Hot Rod Hundley, and together they broadcasted games for four seasons.

Beyond calling games, McCoy managed both radio and TV production, hired local crews for road games, handled audio engineering, and even broadcasted via telephone during technical issues. He also helped sell advertising, often meeting with clients alongside Jerry Colangelo.

For the next 51 seasons, McCoy lent his engaging voice to the world of basketball, painting vivid portraits of the game through his keen insights and memorable catchphrases. His descriptions transformed each play into a work of art, capturing not just the action on the court but the very soul of the sport.

Al was there in 1976, when the Suns made their first appearance in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He coined the nicknames for players like Dick Van Arsdale (The Flying Dutchman), Walter Davis (The Man With the Velvet Touch), Dan Majerle (Thunder Dan), and Shawn Marion (The Matrix). He called all three of the Suns’ Finals appearances in 1976, 1993, and 2021.

His catchphrases have become a part of Suns’ fans’ lexicon. “Shazam!” “Whammo!” “Oh, brother.” “Zing go the strings!” “Twine time!” “Heartbreak Hotel.” “Wham, Bam, Slam!”. Yes, I still say “Shazam!” whenever I make a long shot with a piece of paper into a trashcan.

After 31 seasons of simulcasting on both the radio and television, McCoy became the radio voice of the Suns in 2003. In 2007, McCoy was honored by the Naismith Hall of Fame, where he received the Cury Gowdy Media Award. Shortly thereafter, the arena pressroom at the US Airways Center was envisioned as the Al McCoy Media Center.

In March of 2017, McCoy was inducted into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

McCoy would call his last game during the 2022 playoffs, a Game 6 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Footprint Center.

Throughout his legendary career, Al McCoy was joined by a remarkable array of broadcast partners. Jack Beveridge and Jim Wells were among the earliest to share the microphone with him, while the charismatic Hot Rod Hundley brought his unique flair to their commentary. John Shumate and Tom Ambrose added their insights, each bringing a distinct perspective to the game. The sharp wit of Joe Gilmartin and the towering presence of Dennis Awtrey enriched the broadcasts, as did the iconic Chick Hearn and the sharp analysis of Dick Van Arsdale.

Keith Erickson and Vinny Del Negro provided their own brand of expertise, while Cotton Fitzsimmons, with his vast coaching experience, brought a deep understanding of the sport. Tim Kempton and Eddie Johnson, both former players, offered a player’s insight that resonated with fans. The legendary Joe Garagiola and the trailblazing Ann Meyers-Drysdale added their voices to the chorus, each leaving a lasting impact.

In later years, McCoy was joined by Jon Bloom, Tim Ring, Walter Ellis, and Tom Leander, who all carried on the tradition of excellence in broadcasting, ensuring that the legacy of “The Voice of the Suns” continued to resonate with fans old and new.

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For those of us who have lived and breathed Suns basketball, today carries a heavy sadness. Al McCoy wasn’t just a voice on the radio. He was part of our family, woven into the fabric of our lives. We grew up with his words guiding us through every game, his familiar tone offering comfort and excitement in equal measure. Long before he became a radio-exclusive legend, if you watched the Suns, you heard Al McCoy. It was as natural and essential as the game itself.

He entered our living rooms night after night, his voice narrating every triumph, heartbreak, and unforgettable moment in the franchise’s history. Now, with his passing, it feels as if we’ve lost more than a broadcaster. We’ve lost a cherished friend who shared our joys and sorrows, who made each victory sweeter and each defeat more bearable.

The silence left in his absence is profound, a reminder of the deep connection we had with the man behind the microphone, whose voice will forever echo in our hearts. Rest easy, Al.